Belgian shopping mall evacuated after man fires rifle in store

Police escorted dozens of shoppers after assailants burst into the store in an apparent robbery attempt


Reuters October 22, 2016
A file photo of Belgian police personnel. PHOTO: REUTERS

BRUSSELS: A Belgian shopping center was evacuated on Saturday after a man opened fire with a Kalashnikov rifle in a store in Chatelineau, 50 km (35 miles) south of Brussels, Belgian media reported.

Police escorted dozens of shoppers out of the Cora mall after assailants burst into the store on Saturday morning in an apparent robbery attempt, national news agency Belga reported.

There were conflicting reports on the number of assailants, with RTL News citing the police commissioner as saying several gunmen were inside the store. Local paper La Gazette cited unnamed sources saying there were three.

Two Brussels police stabbed in suspected terror attack

"Shots were fired with a Kalashnikov," Mayor Daniel Vanderlick told RTL.

No one was injured and the men appeared to be after jewelry.

There was no suggestion from police that the incident had militant links. Suicide attacks claimed by Islamic State killed 32 people in Brussels in March.

Local police and federal prosecutors could not immediately be reached for comment.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ